Edmonton, Alberta (City)

Canada is a country in the northern half of North America. It is the 2nd largest country in the world in area, after Russia, and has the longest coastline of any country in the world, being next to the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans. Canada has the highest mountain range in the whole world. Around 30 million people live in Canada's ten provinces and three territories.

Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, situated in the central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies. It is the second largest city in Alberta with a population of 712,391 as of 2005 census, and is the hub of the country's sixth largest CMA, Census Metropolitan Area. At 684 square kilometers, the city of Edmonton proper covers a area larger than Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Montreal, although less than one-third of Ottawa.

Edmonton serves as the northern anchor of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor one of four such regions that, in total, comprise 50 percent of the Canadian population and is a staging point for large-scale oilsands projects occurring in the north of the province as well as large-scale diamond mining operations in the Northwest territories.

Edmonton is Canada's second most populous provincial capital after Toronto and is known as a well-rounded cultural, government, and educational center. It plays host to a year round slate of world-class festivals, earning it the title of festival city. It is home to North America's largest mall, West Edmonton Mall, and Canada's largest historical park, Fort Edmonton park. In 2004, Edmonton celebrated the centennial of its incorporation as a city.

Edmonton has a northern continental climate with extreme seasonal temperatures, although the city has milder winters than either Regina or Winnipeg, which are both located at a more southerly latitude. Edmonton has a dry climate. Edmonton is the major economic center for northern and central Alberta and a major center for the oil and gas industry. In transportation Edmonton is served by two major and several smaller airports.

Edmonton has a proud heritage of very successful sports teams including the Edmonton Grads, Edmonton Eskimos, and Edmonton Oilers. The primary professional sports facilities are the Commonwealth stadium and rexall place. Numerous minor-league teams in the city include the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Edmonton can also be considered as the preeminent, historical and potential tourism destination.